Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve
“The Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve is a vital peat swamp forest ecosystem due to its role in maintaining environmental stability, supporting biodiversity, and providing ecosystem services to the community. The Selangor State Forestry Department is committed to preserve and manage this peat swamp forest sustainably so that this invaluable natural treasure remains protected for the well-being of all communities worldwide.” – Azhar bin Ahmad, Director, the Selangor State Forestry Department
Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) in Selangor, Malaysia, is a rare peat swamp forest with pockets of lowland dipterocarp forest. Gazetted in 1927, it originally spanned 7,247 hectares but has since been reduced to 688.63 hectares. However, JPNS has appended a 486.07-ha forest, formerly KLNFR – but renamed to Tanjong Dua Belas Forest Reserve. Together, these two peat forest reserves totalling 1,174.7-ha play a vital role in climate regulation, water management, and biodiversity conservation.
KLNF is also the ancestral land of the Temuan Orang Asli, who have long depended on the forest for their livelihood. Despite pressures from development and fire, roughly 300 hectares have been successfully rehabilitated through joint efforts by the Selangor State Forest Department (JPNS), local NGOs, and community groups.
The forest is rich in wildlife, home to iconic species like the Malayan tapir and sun bear, as well as rare and endemic animals such as the emerald-spot fighting fish—found only in Selangor’s acidic peat swamps (and in southern Perak) —and the Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel.
When selecting a site in Malaysia for the Peat on Earth habitat immersion, we searched for a peatland comparable in size to the UK’s 350-hectare Foulshaw Moss—one with unique biodiversity and close ties to local communities. No exact match exists in Selangor, but the closest option was the 688.63 hectare Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR), nearly two times larger. KLNFR is not opened to the public, and requires a permit to visit.
Young poet Kimchi Lai and visual artist–filmmaker Leong Hon Yuen (Factual TV) spent two days exploring the peatland, guided by JPNS rangers and the indigenous Temuan guides. Moved by the landscape and the people dedicated to protecting it, they created five original spoken word films.
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